Air-ship



(No Model.)

J. S. FOSTER.

" AIR SHIP.

Patented June 23, 1885.

WITNEESEE..

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N4 PETERS, Pham-mmf. WMM. D.C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH S. FOSTER, OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS.

AIR-SHIP.

SPECIFICATOET forming part of Letters Patent No. 320,548, dated June 23, 1885.

Application filed September 15, 1884. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, it may concern.:

Beit known that l, JosErrr S. FOSTER, of Salem, county of Essex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Apparatus for Aerial Locomotion, of which the following description, in connection with the accompan ying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

My invention relating to mechanism or apparatus for aerial locomotion is embodied in an apparatus consisting, essentially, of a light frame for supporting the propelling devices and the person to be conveyed.

The invention consists, essentially, in the combination, with the frame and propelling devices, of actuating mechanism for said devices, and means to adjust the position of the said propelling devices with relation to the frame or occupant, whereby the direction of movement of the apparatus may be varied and regulated.

The invention also consists in various de tails of construction hereinafter described.

YFigure 1 is a front elevation of an apparatus for aerial locomotion embodying my invention; Fig. 2, au end elevation thereof; Fig. 3 a vertical section, Fig. 4 a plan view, and Fig. 5 a sectional detail, of one of the blades of the propelling devices.

The frame a, provided with a suitable seat, c', (see Fig. 3,) for the person using the apparatus, has suitable bearings, c2, for the main actuating-wheel b, provided with cranks b and pedals b2 to enable thesaid wheel to be rotated by the feet of the occupant of the seat c. The wheel b actuates by a belt, c, or gearteeth a pulley, d, which is smaller than the said wheel, and consequently rotates at higher speed. The said pulley d is fixed upon a shaft, e, having bearn gs c in lateral extensions a* of the framework, the said shaft passing through openings a in the said frame-worlgand having a iexible portion, c', or its equivalent, beyond which is a portion, c?, substantially at right angles to the portion directly actuated by the pulley d.

The portions c2 of the shaft have fixed upon their upper ends the propelling devices j`-o1ie at each side of the apparatus-which propelling devices receive a rapid rotary movement as the actuating-wheel b is turned by the feet of the occupant or. other suitable motive power. The propelling devices consist of arms f, having faces f2 (see Fig. 5) inclined to the plane of rotation of the said arms, so as to have a wedge-like action on the air similar to the blades of a windmill or marine propeller, the top face being in the plane of rotation. The

faces f 2 are inclined in opposite directions from a central longitudinal line on the arms, as shown, so that it makes no difference in which direction the said propelling devices turn, such construction of the arms obviating the formation of eddies at the rear of the thickest part of the blades.

The pressure or force exerted by the propelling devices is in line with the shafts ci, and the ends of the arms f of each propelling device are connected with a ange, e, on the shaft e2, by rods g, in order to strengthen the said arms on the shafts. The shape of the propellers is such that should the motion cease they would act as a parachute to break the force of the fall.

It will be seen that if the shafts c are both vertically above the frame-work the propelling devices will tend to lift the apparatus vertically upward, and in order to move the said apparatus in other directions the said shafts ci have their bearings on oscillating arms 71y h turning about collars h2, surrounding the openings a, through which the shaft e passes. The free ends of the arms h h are guided by segments c, connected with the main frame-work, and the said arms have connected with them cords i, or equivalents, running through suitable guides, t, near the ends of the segments to a point on the frame-work within reach ofthe operator, where the said cords may be made fast on a suitable belaying pin or bracket, i. Thus by taking up one or the other end ofeither one of the cords 'i the arms h h may be independently adjusted to incline forward or backward from the vertical position, thus producing a tendency to move the adj aceut side of the apparat-us either forward or backward While keeping it properly raised above the ground, and by properly adjusting the arms h It the apparatus may be made to move in any direction.

The arms f are provided with flanges f, which diminish the centrifugal iiow of the air, confining its effect to the inclined faces of the said arms. The frame-work is provided with rollers ahwhich support it when ou the ground.

The bearings will all be of proper construction to produce the minimum of friction, ball or roller bearings of any Well-known and Wings, and the actuating-shaft extending` across the said frame-Work, combined with the upwardly-extended shafts having flexible connection With and receiving motion from the actuating-shaft, and propelling devices thereon, the oscillating arms supporting the said shafts independent of each other, and appliances for independently adjusting and retaining the said arms in any desired angular position, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two sub scribing Witnesses.

JOSEPH S. FOSTER.

Vitnesses:

HENRY M. MEEK, ELLEN HANNAN. 

